2013 Miami Marlins Season Preview: Casey Kotchman

By Ryan Gaydos

Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

No, it is not who the Miami Marlins ideally want at the first base position on Opening Day, but Casey Kotchman is going to have to do for the time being as Logan Morrison will be out for the beginning of the season recovering from knee surgery he had in September. Kotchman was signed by the Marlins during the off-season on a minor league deal and will have a chance to help the Marlins in the beginning of the season.

Kotchman is coming off a season with the Cleveland Indians and has not had a home in the bigs, moving around from team-to-team in the past four years. Last season with the Indians, he collected 500 plate appearances but hit .229/.280/.330 with 12 home runs and 55 RBIs. Kotchman has never been the guy to provide big-time power in a lineup, but was always used as an assurance bat.

That is what he is going to be for the Marlins in 2013 — an assurance bat. He is going to provide situational hitting and will be relied on to get on base with his position in the lineup.

One of three veterans of the majors that will be in the lineup come April 1, Kotchman has the ability to help the team in the early going this season, although he has not hit in the National League full-time since 2009. If the 30-year old’s pop in the bat is still there, 80 RBIs is not a far-off projection if he can stay active and help the Marlins through this difficult time.

Ryan Gaydos is a featured MLB columnist for RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, “like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google